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Is Alex Gordon the Royals Future Center Fielder?

By Jackson Stone

Oct 27, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets in the 9th inning in game one of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets in the 9th inning in game one of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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KC Royals
May 11, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Kansas City Royals left fielder Jorge Bonifacio (38), center fielder Alex Gordon (4), right fielder Jorge Soler (12) congratulate each other after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Kansas City Royals defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

His Defense Is Second To None

After 927 career starts in left field, Gordon finally made his first in center on Thursday afternoon against the Rays.  After filling in for Cain at the end of the game the night before, and making an incredible play, Gordon was awarded the start the day after. Both appearances in center showed the athlete that Gordon is, and then some. In arguably the best catch of the year, along with Cain’s grab in Houston, Gordon amazed his teammates by tracking down a long fly ball at the fence. The Royals tweeted about the incredible catch here:

https://twitter.com/Royals/status/862483046997647360

Gordon is a proven four time Gold Glove winner and with no doubt the best left fielder in Royals history. However, with Cain’s contract ending after this season, even if the Royals don’t trade him now, there could still be a spot open. While the ugly .158 average can scare people about is future, as it should, he is a proven veteran who the Royals believe will come out of the slump.

Last years struggles could be blamed on injuries, but this year his trouble at the plate is obvious. Nonetheless, his defense is a valuable weapon the KC Royals will continue to use for the rest of the year.

His perfect 1.000 fielding percentage is obviously leading the majors, and he has actually started in all three outfield positions this season for the first time in his career. It is not secret that Gordon will continue to impress in the outfield, as seen below.

https://twitter.com/Royals/status/862820633494736900

Another incredible feature of Alex Gordon is his innate ability to throw runners out. Gordon has one of the strongest arms in the MLB and teams have been weary to run on Gordo for the past number of seasons.

His 76 career outfield assists easily lead any other outfielder on the team and that is why he is a prime candidate to take over in the middle of the outfield. His speed along with his strong arm is exactly what he needs to be a successful center fielder. Even with the small sample size fans have seen out of him in center, he has already made a couple of magnificent plays.

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